Chapter 87.2: Ruins of Cabolissa (2)

Even in the game's story, this place was a ruin that a lot failed to enter when it was first discovered because of the broken magic stone.

If it was just a simple ruin, one could just break inside, but this place wasn't that simple.

Eventually, an inner passage was revealed. Luminous stones densely studded the ceiling, so it wasn't dark.

"Let's go."

Asher, who was staring at the passageway with a puzzled face, turned around as if she was a little surprised.

It must be because whenever I found a place like this during my search for mysteries, I always let her stay outside and entered alone.

However, this place was a ruin only for Asher. Even if I couldn't explain that to her.

I moved first, and as always, Asher silently followed me asking nothing.

It's wide.

I walked through the wide aisle, feeling the cool air on my skin.

And we quickly arrived at a much wider space with a magic circle engraved on the floor.

Magic stones were everywhere, lines connected by magical power, and a magic circle in the center, just like the underground scenery seen in the Overlord's Castle.

Asher and I fixed our eyes on the top of the magic circle.

It was because something like a translucent blue light was wriggling in the air. It looked like some kind of spiritual body.

Knowing what that thing was, I calmly waited.

Rather than a guardian of the ruins, should I say that it's more of a guide?

This guy was to guide any visitors for the ordeal prepared by the owner of this ruin.

Soon the guy took shape and changed into the appearance of an old man.

– …How long has this been? Someone finally came!

A very excited voice rang in my head.

The guy grinned and looked at Asher, and I, then continued.

– Welcome, adventurers! This is the place that the great sage Cabolissa arranged for her successor. Those of you who have found this place are qualified to challenge the ordeal. There are two trials prepared. Choose one of the two trials. If you pass, a reasonable reward will wait for you at the end.

As the guy said, I looked at the two entrances on one side of the space.

Asher followed me a beat later and moved her gaze.

– The entrance on the left is an ordeal that tests brute force, and the entrance on the right is a test of mental strength. If you fail the ordeal, you will lose your life. So, choose wisely. If you don't want to challenge the ordeal, you can leave the ruins now.

I fixed my gaze on the entrance on the right.

A trial of mental strength.

This would bring out the painful memories of the challenger, would drive the mind to the limit. It was an ordeal where one had to overcome agony and suffering.

It could be said that it was like the hallucinations that Asher suffered from monsters in Hallmenta before.

The only difference was that the degree would be much higher than then.

However, since this was an ordeal to the end, if Asher herself was determined, she could somehow overcome it. Like how it happened in the game.

If you fail, you lose your life.

Although there was a big risk to take, I didn't worry because I had something to protect myself from it.

Because I had [Soul of the King], mental attacks wouldn't work on me.

In the event of an emergency, I planned to take Asher and escape.

Of course, I didn't know what other dangerous devices were in place in this ruin, but I would have to take that level of risk.

"Go through the right entrance, Asher."

I said that and walked to the right entrance.

Asher followed me with a look of confusion, not knowing what this ordeal was all about. The guide also floated and followed us.

Inside the entrance, another magic circle covered the entire room, but the magic I felt was much bigger.

– You have chosen the trial to test your mental strength. So let's start the ordeal right away.

The guide raised magic power, and the magic circle that responded to it emitted a bright light.

"…!"

Asher, who was staggering, immediately fell to the floor. The magic that was activated blew her consciousness away.

On the contrary, I was still standing.

However, I feel the memories of the past rushing through my head like a tidal wave.

Oh…

It's roughly like this.

All the painful memories I had experienced in my life so far passed by clearly. It amplified my negative emotions to the limit.

But apart from the fact that there were no difficulties in my past life, I was also not mentally disturbed because of the [Soul of the King].

I just watched everything with a novel feeling. But came after that were unknown memories.

"…?"

…What was this?

I was running away, bleeding to the point of darkness, chased by some pursuers.

A burning town, screaming people, and me standing blankly in the middle of it…

The unknown memories confused me, but I was able to realize it soon.

It's the memory of the real owner of this body.

Fragments of irregular and tangled memories rose to the surface and then sunk back down.

I furrowed my brows and recalled the past memories.

However, the memories that had already passed once quickly faded like a dream and did not come to mind.

– Ho, you held up quite a bit?

The guide smiled as he saw me standing there.

– But if you keep holding on like that, you will go crazy. Come on, lose your mind like your colleague. This is an ordeal designed to be overcome, not to be endured soberly…

"Hey."

I cut him off and said.

"Could you make the hallucination magic you're currently using even more powerful?"

– …Huh?

"It's not coming back because the memories have passed. Hurry before I forget."

He looked at me with a puzzled expression. It was as if he was looking at a madman.

[I will post a new bonus chapter after each review]